February 29, 2024 Shoshone, California

 76 degrees and sunny. Very windy also, so we hiked in Willow Canyon.

We drove down Thelma and Louise road to Willow canyon. The road ends at the sheer drop off. Heading down into the canyon. 

Judy D descending the chain into the canyon.  John down climbing into the canyon below the chain.

These ruins are an old house in the canyon. John decided to take a bath in the ruin.

The remains of an old car near the house. We then hiked into the slot canyon across the canyon. 

John in the slot canyon. It was very narrow and not too long. Part of the slot canyon walls.

John and James got caught in a vortex in the slot canyon. Nice light heading out of the slot canyon.

Heading down the main canyon. Hoo doo. 

Phacelia, ground cherry seeds, a mixed bouquet,  Rabbit thorn bush bloom, and a heart on the canyon wall. Heading into another side slot canyon.

Cool formations on the top of the cliff. Judy D is a tiny dot about 3/4 of the way along the canyon wall base. 

Slot Canyon.

Desert 5 spot, mojave ragweed, nicotiana, dripping canyon walls. Nearing the end of the canyon, John is a tiny dot on the left side in the canyon.

The canyon boxed out in this huge amphitheater. John at the bottom on the canyon wall. 

James and Judy D. James photographing the top of the canyon.

Heading back out of the slot canyon. Judy D is the tiny dot at the end of the canyon. 

Yet another slot side canyon. It was short and ended in a smaller amphitheater. 

James and John waiting below the keystone. Heading back out the canyon.

Out of the slot canyon into the main canyon.

White evening primrose, mustard, phainopepla, seed heads, thorn apple, and raven. This slot canyon ended in this small dry fall Judy D is in. 

Back out the slot canyon. Heading toward twin hoo doos. 

We just past Willow spring. The irrigation pond at China Ranch. A couple years ago there was a huge fire started by someone with fireworks. It took out about 20 acres of Willow Canyon , but thankfully was stopped above China Ranch.

We walked along the Ranch View trail on the ridge over Willow Canyon. You can see some palm trees at China Ranch at the end of the canyon. 

Looking down on China Ranch Date Farm. An oasis in the desert. Heading down the last ridge to China Ranch.

Ahhhh. China Ranch Date Farm. After a fabulous hike we stopped at the ranch and had date shakes. Yum yum

A few dead shaggy mane mushrooms and a coyote melon.